Ryan McBride/Staff photographer
Max Blackwin was eager to be in class as he learns on his computer to build sentences and work with flash cards at Rollinsford Grade School. He has made significant progress.

ROLLINSFORD — Grade school student Max Blackwin is starring in his own feature film documenting his strengths on the basketball court, even while struggling with a rare genetic disorder.

The film is produced by independent professional filmmakers, Larry Hicock and cameraman Christian Fleury, who highlight the boy’s skills with his teammates and follows him through some inspirational experiences.

“It was clear to me I wanted to do a documentary about Max,” said Hicock.

Like any regular 12-year-old kid, Max likes to do what he can to help his team reach its potential. But what is especially unique about Max is he was born Optiz G-BBB syndrome. The condition can cause a variety of physical problems including wide-spaced eyes and defects of the larynx, and the esophagus causing breathing problems. Mild intellectual disability may be caused by defects in the brain because of the absence of the tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain. Max’s speech development and verbal communication processes have been delayed. His disorder also carries some autistic-like tendencies. Max is limited in some areas, but he has strengths, too. He excels in sports, has excellent visual memory and observes everything.

Max’s parents, Cindy and Everton, support their son and want to show other parents how to relate. The Blackwins are in the midst of starting a nonprofit called Special Deeds, an organization that will help portray the family’s experiences. “We found there weren’t a lot of avenues to seek support. We wanted to help parents that may be where we were 10 years ago. Special Deeds, will be like a community-billboard. We’ve been planning this for about seven years, but it has finally come to life with the help of Larry and Christian,” said Everton.

Max will be documented for a four-week basketball intramural season that will capture personal moments and follow the game all the way to the end of the season on Feb. 18.

The film carries a positive message and is being documented to reach children with special needs on a motivating and inspirational level.

“Were talking to everybody who is willing to talk to us, from the staff to the kids,” said Hicock.

This rare opportunity to share Max’s journey is a thrilling experience for the town, school and families of Rollinsford, his parents and school officials agree.

“Schools like this are one in a million, it’s like a fantasy gingerbread house,” said Hicock. Max’s parents stressed how welcoming the grade school has been in responding to Max’s needs and how he has developed dramatically since enrolled.

“The kids know him so well and encourage him every day,” said Cindy Blackwin

“One of the greatest things about this small school is everyone has engaged with Max. He knows everyone’s name,” said Rollinsford Grade School Principal Kate Lucas. Max came from an elementary school that had close to 600 students, RGS has 185.

“The culture in this school you can feel when you walk in. That welcoming culture is what allowed Max to flourish in this environment. It’s one of family. It’s really what made this experience such a fantastic one. We see how happy he is when he comes home. He is now reading, which is to us, monumental,” said Everton.